Marami na ang nakapansin sa unti-unting pagbabago sa ganda ng katawan ni Jericho Rosales. 'I'm in good shape right now because I feel good inside and marami akong ginagawang activities iba't ibang sports, feeling healthy.' Ipinagmamalaki rin ni Echo ang ganda ng kanyang abs sa ngayon.

Sa usapin sa career, alam ng lahat na minsan ay nawala sa sirkulasyon ng showbiz si Jericho sapagkat nag-detour ang kanyang acting career patungo sa pagkanta. Isang malaking desisyon na ayon sa kanya ay hindi niya pinagsisihan dahil natutukan niya daw ang kanyang passion sa pagkanta. Naging masalimuot din ang kanyang lovelife noon nang naging you and me against the worl ang drama nila ni Heart Evangelista. Pero nauwi din sa hiwalayan ang akala ng karamihan ay magkakaroon ng fairy tale and happy ending ang kanilang ipinaglalabang pag-iibigan.

Naging masalimuot man ang pinagdaanan ng Mr. Pogi titleholder, naging successful naman ang kanyang pagbalik sa pag-arte. At ang pelikulang Baler na pinagbibidahan niya katuwang si Anne Curtis ang isa sa masasabi nating naging daan sa matagumpay na 'second coming' ng kanyang career. 'Parang medyo sugal kasi it's an epic film, yes pero Baler is not really known and even our producers sinasabi nila we just have to make a good movie. This kind of movies sabi nila are not the usual ones na talagang bumebenta sa takilya but we still made it kasi it's a good movie but nung ipinalabas na siya sa festival, hit na hit talaga siya dahil siya yung pinaka- maraming awards na nakuha for the film fest, ako lang yung hindi nakakuha pero ok lang at best picture pa. I'm really proud of that film and for me binibigay ko naman talaga yung best ko para sa isang project lalung lalo na pag gusto ko yung project so I believed that movie really help me as well pagdating sa pelikula to be back again sa movies and TV, sa Kahit Isang Saglit [with Malaysian actress Carmen Soo] and some endorsements now are coming in. Perfect timing. God is good. For a while I stop, I decided to stop to train my music and the right song and at the same time rest from the usual things that I did nag-music muna ako. Nagsulat ako, kumanta rin, nag record ako, kumanta rin sa mga bars, nag shows, nag concert and very minimal na TV and movie work. I did one film na hindi pa pinapalabas nung time na yun. Nagpahinga ako may ginawa akong isang movie. It's with an American crew and American actors din. I auditioned for that role up to now hindi pa siya naipapalabas kasi they're still working on it but hopefully this year malapit na.'

Hindi man niya nasungkit ang Best Actor trophy sa nakaraang Metro Manila Film Festival, happy na rin si Echo sa mga naging papuri sa pelikulang Baler. At ngayon, may international screening na daw ito. 'May narinig nga ako na mga balita na ganun, sa May 14 opening film siya ng San Joaquin International Film Festival sa San Francisco, gustong gusto ko ngang pumunta kaso hindi puwede. I'm really proud of that film plus I'm getting nominations again for the movie so very happy.' Sa tingin ba niya naapektuhan ng kanyang lovelife noon ang magandang takbo ng kanyang career? 'Not really, nagkataon lang sabay lang yun. Sumabay lang sa panahon. I've always been in a relationship naman. I've been always in love and ganun pa rin may ups and downs.'Pinagsisihan ba niya ang isang taon halos na hindi siya naging aktibo sa showbiz? 'Hindi, in-expect ko naman talaga yung time na mangyayari yun kasi ako mismo nag-decide na stop. There are things na hindi ko ini-expect na mangyayari and mas maraming bagay na di ko rin ini-expect na yung magiging epekto nun ganun kalaki. Siyempre, I had my share of hard times talaga but no regrets. I've learned a lot of things kasi dahil dun sa vacation ko na yun, I've established my character.'

Author: Arniel Serato
Source: http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/3308/Jericho-Rosales-I-had-my-share-of-hard-times-talaga-but-no-regrets-.aspx

Jericho Rosales is preparing to make beautiful music under Star Records, the recording arm of his home network ABS-CBN. Last April 15, he signed a solo album deal with Star Records in the presence of Managing Director Annabelle Regalado-Borja and his manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano. At the contract signing, Jericho said that he is now ready to give what the public wants to hear from him in his upcoming album.

“As a musician ganun pa rin ako. Straight-from-the-heart kind of music. Kaya lang noon with my band medyo funk kasi ang dating ng music namin,indie nang konti. This time I’ve learned to give in sa kung ano ang gusto ng tao. As an artist, I now understand ‘yung importance ng give and take. Sa una ibibigay mo muna ‘yung gusto ng tao on what they want to hear and then later on tsaka ko gagawin ‘yung kung ano ang gusto ko. To be able to make more music I need to be heard. Compromise is not the word. It’s not the word that we use in our team. It’s more of understanding what people need at this time. Different times, different needs. Kung ano lang ‘yung understandable at embraceable sa mga tao ngayon. You can’t force things to happen din,” he explains.

His new solo album, which is set for release sometime this July, will contain mellow love songs—mostly his own composition. He reveals that his talent in song writing sprung from composing poems when he was young. But it seems that Jericho is the type who becomes more inspired and driven to work when he’s in a relationship. When asked if he has someone who serves as his musical inspiration now, Jericho said that he draws his drive from so many things around him and not from one particular girl alone. “Honestly right now wala akong girlfriend. This is the time na mapo-prove ko talaga sa sarili ko na hindi totoong dahil lang may girlfriend ako kaya may mga nagagawa ako. Noon nagkataon lang talaga, to be fair to my exes. Now I still make music kahit wala akong love life. Live and love naman talaga ako. ‘Yung love ko hindi lang naman para sa girlfriend. There’s love for my family, my brother, my pet, my life, and God. May mga compositions ako about joy, happiness, heart breaks, standing up again on my own two feet, doing things on my own, how I appreciate God in my life. Kapag extreme emotions ‘yung nararamdaman ko, extreme happiness or extreme sadness, sumusulat ako.”

Rumored to be courting singer-actress Karylle, Jericho clarifies that he is just friends with the daughter of ZsaZsa Padilla. He may, however, be singing a song with Karylle for his album. “We’re thinking of collaborating with other artists. Of course Karylle is on the list. Before pa nasabi ko na sa kanya na baka we can work on kahit isang song. Game naman siya. Nagdu-duet naman din kami sa ASAP. Merong song na sinulat namin nung lead guitarist ng banda ko dati and kinanta namin ni Karylle sa I Love Betty La Fea.”

The 29-year-old actor is set to reunite with his ex-girlfriend and love team partner Kristine Hermosa in a teleserye and a movie. He has just also bagged a Best Actor nomination from the Golden Screen Awards for his performance in the movie Baler. With an album in the works, Jericho has successfully made his mark on TV, film, and music. Jericho confessed that he is thankful that Star Records gave him another chance to share his music to his fans. “May utang talaga ako kay Ms. Annabelle. Nag-meeting na kami dati kaya lang naudlot kasi nadamay siya dun sa pagka-rebelde ko dati. I remember nung binigay ko sa kanya ‘yung mga songs ko she said, ‘Sige we’ll try to work on the…’ Ganun agad ‘yung sinabi niya, e may pagka-sensitive pa ako noon kaya parang nasabi ko, ‘No! You can’t touch my songs.’”

But after thinking things over and having a newfound faith in the Lord, Jericho has learned to listen to other people and take pointers for his own improvement. “Maturity na rin. When you’re young, there are things na ayaw mong pakialaman ng ibang tao. Feeling mo gusto mo at tama lahat ng ginagawa mo, like you can change the world with just your own hands. But now I’m more open at mas mature na ako when it comes to working with other people, communicating and understanding them, and also understanding what the market needs

Author: Napoleon Quintos
Source: http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/3121/Jericho-Rosales-says-his-album-is-inspired-by-a-different-kind-of-love.aspx

Isa nang certified Kapamilya ang Malaysian actress na si Carmen Soo. Pumirma na siya ng kontrata sa ABS-CBN Star Magic, ang talent arm ng Kapamilya network na pinamamahalaan ni Johnny Manahan.

Si Carmen ang naging leading lady ni Jericho Rosales sa teleserye na Kahit Isang Saglit. Ang nasabing teleserye ay ang unang co-production ng ABS-CBN at Double Vision ng Malaysia.

Nang makausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Carmen sa solo presscon na ibinigay sa kanya ng ABS-CBN kahapon, April 2, ay inamin niya na hindi siya masyadong pamilyar sa Pilipinas kaya hindi niya alam kung ano ang kanyang papasukan nang ilatag sa kanya ang project na Kahit Isang Saglit. Ang teleserye ay idinirek ng namayapang si Gilbert "Manong" Perez at ayon kay Carmen, "Manong was kind to explain how the local industry works, TFC, the fans, the working hours, etc."

Although na-link sa isa't isa sina Carmen at Jericho ay hanggang link lang daw yun. Ayon kay Carmen, never naman daw silang nagkaroon ng relasyon ni Echo. Naging mabuti lang daw silang magkaibigan. At natutuwa naman daw siya dahil nang bumalik siya pansamantala sa Malaysia ay constant pa rin ang communication nila ng aktor."

Pagkatapos magsama sa nasabing serye ay sa pelikula naman mula sa Star Cinema magsasama sina Carmen at Echo. Ka-triangle nila rito si Kristine Hermosa.

At dahil sa pelikulang kanyang gagawin at iba pang proyekto sa ABS-CBN kaya kinakailangang mag-aral ng Tagalog si Carmen.

"I have a teacher. She teaches me four to five times a week. She's Ms. Daisy. She used to coach Gerald Anderson. She was recommended to me," lahad ng Malaysian actress.

Nahirapan daw si Carmen sa pag-aaral ng Tagalog.

"It is difficult because it's a brand new language. And I'm in Elementary 3 now."

MATTERS OF THE HEART. Sa ngayon ay loveless pa rin daw si Carmen. Huli siyang nagkaroon ng boyfriend two years ago.

"He's a Canadian-Chinese. He lives in Singapore now. He's a show producer. He produces, but not in acting."

Hindi kaya ang sobrang pagiging busy ni Carmen sa kanyang trabaho sa Malaysia ang naging dahilan kaya naghiwalay sila ng kanyang boyfriend, or hindi rin niya siguro ito ganun kamahal?

"I'm very much in love with him, actually. I didn't give him up him for my career. It's just it didn't work out," paliwanag niya.

Posible kaya na ang susunod na magiging boyfriend ni Carmen ay si Jericho since muli silang magkakatrabaho nito?

"I dont know. Let's see. I wish you can plan things like that," sagot niya.

Ano ba ang qualities na hinahanap ni Carmen sa isang lalaki?

"I think I can write three pages of that!" tawa niya. "The usual things, you know, good heart, understands me and make time to... Because it's very difficult if I'm busy of course, he's probably busy as well. Try to make things work and working at it. Appreciate me. Love and care for me. And let me do the same thing, too. Sharing a life together. So it's not easy to find somebody."

Author: Rommel Placente
Source: http://www.pep.ph/news/21381/Carmen-Soo-on-falling-for-Jericho-Rosales:-%22I-wish-you-can-plan-things-like-that.%22

Carmen Soo, who captivated the Filipino audience when she played Jericho Rosales’s leading lady in last year’s Kahit Isang Saglit, is the newest addition to the Star Magic family, ABS-CBN’s talent arm. Although the Malaysian actress already has a promising showbiz and modeling career in Malaysia and around Asia, she could not refuse the chance to be managed by Star Magic in her attempt to build a career in the local showbiz scene. “After Kahit Isang Saglit, a different kind of market opened up for me. And like a model who models everywhere, I appreciate a new market where I can expand myself and explore a new market such as different ways of acting, different ways of working, different projects like soap operas here [in the Philippines].”

She revealed that it was ABS-CBN executive Malou N. Santos, who suggested that she allow Star Magic to manage her to make sure that there will be someone to oversee her in her attempt to try her luck in local showbiz. “Tita Malou was acting as my agent last year because I didn’t have one. This year when I came back, I came to see her and she said she’s handing me over to Star Magic properly so that there is a proper group of people to take care of me in my work here. But of course anytime in the near future, I would always have to work out my schedule between my work in Malaysia or anywhere else like in the Philippines,” shared Carmen.

Admitting that Kahit Isang Saglit opened up opportunities for her, she recalled almost losing that chance when she initially refused to make the teleserye when it was first offered to her. “Kahit Isang Saglit was a surprise. It was an unplanned project, which I almost turned down because at that time, I was working on three projects straight without stopping,” she said. “When Manong (the late Director Gilbert Perez) and the producers went to Malaysia, I said no. I couldn’t take another (project). I had to take a break. When they eventually convinced me, I said yes, but I was very tired and it was an unplanned for. But all of a sudden, a whole new opportunity opened itself up for me, as an actor. Probably it follows from being a model, where it’s always nice to be working in different countries. And if there’s is a chance opening up for me, I don’t want to waste it.”

Right now, Carmen is getting ready for her first local movie, where she will share billing with Jericho and Kristine Hermosa. She revealed that she is presently being coached in the Filipino language for the remaining three weeks of her one-and-a-half months stay in the country, before flying back to Malaysia. Although, she confessed that that her training time won’t be enough to make her fluent in the vernacular by the time that she begins shooting the film. “Realistically, I don’t think I can speak pure Tagalog because my teacher told me I’m aiming [for a] pre-school to high school [level] in a month. But as much as I know, it’s better than nothing,” she explained.

As far as her career is concerned, Carmen is prioritizing acting over modeling and said that choosing projects will be based on first-come-first-serve basis be it from Malaysia or anywhere else like the Philippines. “Naturally, every project will get some sort of delay or postponement, which is normal. So whatever comes my way, I’ll take that first whether it’s in Malaysia or Philippines. Of course if I’m shooting something here, I won’t be able to take anything in Malaysia because I can’t be traveling between two countries at the same time. If I’m doing something here, Malaysia would have to take the backseat. The same thing for the Philippines,” Carmen said.

Author: Bernie Franco
Source: http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/3019/Carmen-Soo-is-Star-Magic-s-newest-talent.aspx

Currently part of the cast of I Love Betty La Fea and ASAP ‘09, as well as getting ready to star in the upcoming drama series Ikaw Lamang with Kristine Hermosa and Karylle, Jericho Rosales definitely has his hands full with the Kapamilya network. The 29-year-old actor formally signed a three-project contract with ABS-CBN last February 5 with his manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano in attendance along with ABS-CBN Executives Malou Santos, Cory Vidanes, and Deo Edrinal.

Of his current projects, Echo says ASAP ’09 will always be closest to his heart. “I’m a regular host so I’m very happy. I love ASAP eh. There was a time that I couldn’t be there and I was just feeling so blessed to be back kasi I really love that show. That’s my kulit venue eh. Yun yung favorite ko. I love being with the ASAP gang and staff, Hunks days pa. Of course, I enjoy working with Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) I love Mr. M so much. Gary V. is there and now it’s just great. Galing talaga ng ASAP, it’s so exciting. Balik kulitan ulit kami nila Vhong (Navarro) and I have new friends, sina John Lloyd (Cruz), PJ’s (Piolo Pascual) there, Billy’s (Crawford) so cool, and the girls are so galing,” he excitedly shares.

With his role as the heartbroken resort owner in I Love Betty La Fea, Jericho also got to bond more with his ASAP cast-mates Bea (Alonzo) and John Lloyd. “Well I considered myself as a guest nung una. Pero winelcome naman nila ako so I’m now a part of Betty and I’m very happy about that. It’s nice to work with Direk Erik Salud, who was also the executive producer of ASAP before. Kulitan din kami nina Betty. It’s fun playing the character na blind guy and si Betty cute. Nasa beach kami palagi, mukha akong fish (laughs). Andun lang ako. Enjoy talaga,” he admits.

Echo also loves the fact that he gets to sing in the show. “Sa Betty ‘di ba nagigita-gitara ako dun. Meron akong song na kinakanta, kinanta ko din kay Betty. Tapos yung character ko, singer na siya, surfer pa siya. So talagang may mga surf scenes kami. Talagang ginawa nila na nakaakma yun sa character ko. Yung kinanta ko, that’s an original song. So I might include it in my album. Everything’s working sabay-sabay. Ikaw lamang is another project set by the beach, dagat pa rin pero nasa ilalim naman ako ‘di ba. hindi naman ako syokoy dito (laughs). Medyo seryosong drama ito. Pero ang ganda ng characters. Hindi ko lang ma-reveal ngayon kung ano yung gagawin ko. It’s different from Kahit Isang Saglit kasi,” he shares.

Ikaw Lamang, which will start taping end of February, is something Echo has started gearing up for physically and mentally. “This is the third project in the contract that I’m preparing for. Nag-da-diet na ulit ako. I did my first dive in five years sa Anilao two days ago and sobrang ganda. Ang dami kong nakitang isda. I took skin diving lessons din. Kasi diver ako sa Ikaw Lamang so pinaghahandaan ko na yun. Nakaka-challenge yung role tapos nasa beach rin ako palagi,” he adds.

At this point in his life, Echo is happy with his current projects with the Kapamilya network. “I’m having the time of the life. Parang naglalaro na din ako at the same time ‘di ba? So I think this is more than what I asked for. This is just sobrang gandang blessing nito,” he says.

Author: Rhea Manila P. Santos
Source: http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/2379/Jericho-Rosales-is-having-the-time-of-his-life-on-ABS-CBN.aspx

After recently signing up again with the Kapamilya network, Jericho Rosales is set to take on more acting and singing challenges for 2009. While his career is on the rise, his love life is taking a back seat after his very public breakup last year with long-time girlfriend Heart Evangelista. Now that Heart has reportedly split with steady date businessman Francisco Delgado, Echo wants the whole affair behind him, stating that he has nothing to say about Heart’s situation. “I won’t say anything about that but I hope she’s well though. We have no communication. This is my way of communicating, I always pray for her. I’m sure she’s going to be okay,” he says.

Jericho, who will soon be seen in Ikaw Lamang with former on-and-off-screen sweetheart Kristine Hermosa, reveals that it did not even enter his mind that there might be a chance for a reconciliation with his former flame. “Basta work muna. Pagdating natin dun, we’ll see what happens. But I’m sure, mag-ja-jive kami ng husto ni Tin. So we’re going to have a good time there. And it’s a good show and a good project. Maganda. It’s the same directors din ng Kahit Isang Saglit,” he shares.

Echo says that it won’t matter if his next relationship will be from showbiz or not. But he admits there are advantages to dating someone from the industry. “Let’s see, ang initial na makakaintindi ng trabaho ko is kapwa ko artist ‘di ba? So kung makahanap ako ng hindi showbiz, or showbiz man siya pero hindi siya ‘showbiz,’ parang ganun, jackpot na yun for me. Pero I don’t see that. Now is the time for me to meet people, know people, and understand people and myself. Understand the needs of my family and the needs of my job. I need to understand pa a lot of things,” he shares.

The I Love Betty La Fea actor does admit however that he sometimes needs practice controlling how he feels, especially when he gets attracted to someone. “I’m just happy now eh. I honestly feel that sometimes, nagpipigil ako, ganun. Yung nilalabanan ko talaga yung emotions ko. Pero okay lang, nari-reward naman yung patience ko. Nagbubunga ng isang magandang bagay. Parang it’s part of my enhancement. It’s part of getting to be a better Echo. A better person,” he stresses.

The 29-year old also admits that with his full schedule, he’s not in any real hurry to find the right girl, “I know that in time, God preparing the right person for me. He’s also preparing me for that right person. So okay lang yun, I’m happy naman eh. I can still go around, I can still go out,” he says.

When asked if he has been dating lately, the former Hunks member refuses to give details, but admits, “I don’t think that’s what you’d call a date. Group dates, ganun. I just want to be friendly to everyone and enjoy the company of friends. I’m enjoying communicating with my friends, halo-halo yan. Friends from ASAP, from work, and yung mga surfer friends ko,” he adds. Echo says being single has allowed him to spend more time to focus on his loved ones. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family and loved ones. Spending time at home, sa bahay lang, designing furniture, mga ganung trip lang. Or I go boxing. I try not to focus too much on being romantic. Medyo yung romantic Jericho bina-bawas-bawasan ko na,” he says.

Author: Rhea Manila P. Santos
Source: http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/2388/Jericho-Rosales-speaks-up-about-Heart-Evangelista-s-breakup-with-her-businessman-boyfriend.aspx